Page 108 of Unleashed

“Got it.” Ruth turns to leave.

“Hey.” I wait until she looks back. “Good job. I don’t know what the fuck any of us would do without you.”

A hint of a smile curves her lips. “Thanks.”

I type up a quick explanation for Heidi, pausing when I receive the files from Ruth. Opening them, I look over what she’s found.

She’s sent two versions of each page, one with the discovery circled and one without. The date she thinks is a DOB would put the person referenced in the documents a couple years older than my mom. The description is brief—white male, 6’, med build—and could describe just about any man who’s ever lived.

But the name is what really throws me off.

Shelley

I’ve never met a man named Shelley, but I guess anything’s possible. It could also be a last name. The discrepancy makes me even more confident the best call is to put Heidi on this before we tell Walker. He’s looking for answers, not more fucking questions.

I attach the docs to the email and send it out just as Brooke and Maren arrive to collect Ruth for their lunch date with Lindsey. I’m not surprised at all when I hear Ruth telling them she’s not going.

“I just feel like I should stay here and keep looking through all the stuff since I didn’t get to it yesterday.” Her eyes dart to me as I come out of my office to join them. “You know, just in case I can find something.”

I get that she doesn’t want to quit looking now that she’s getting somewhere, but sometimes you need to take a break.

Not me. Just everyone else

“Go have lunch. This will still be here when you get back.” Ruth busts her ass for everyone, and she deserves to enjoy herself.

Plus, if she doesn’t go, there’s a chance Maren won’t go either. Out of solidarity. And she’s missed out on so much in her life, there’s no way she’ll miss out on another thing. Not if I can help it.

And I can help this.

“I’ll go through a few files while you’re gone.” The urge to reach for Maren and pull her close is almost overwhelming. I don’t think she’s quite comfortable with putting what’s between us out in front of God and all her friends just yet, though, so I stuff both hands in my pockets. “If I find anything interesting, I’ll call you.”

Ruth nods. “Okay. That sounds great.” She gives me a little smile. “Thank you.”

“Any time.”

I know I’m not easy to work for, but Ruth makes it look that way. Whatever I can do to make her life easier—or to help ease her slightly OCD nature—I’m happy to do.

My assistant collects her purse and cell phone, making sure she has everything she needs before joining Maren and Brooke. The trio heads out, and I watch them until they’re out of sight.

I’ve just turned to go into my office when quick footsteps race down the hall behind me. I barely get turned back around before Maren jumps at me, arms looping my neck, and she presses a kiss to my lips.

Pulling back, she reaches up to wipe away the bit of gloss smeared on and around my mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t know what to do when they were there. I didn’t want Ruth to see us kiss and then think about how she caught us fucking all through lunch.”

“I’m pretty sure Ruth does her best to never think about how she caught us fucking.” I kiss her again, because I don’t give a fuck about a little lip gloss. “Enjoy your lunch.”

“I will.” Maren’s brows lift in question as she smooths down the lapels of my jacket. “Want me to bring you anything back?”

“Just you.” I kiss her on the tip of her nose. “I would be very, very upset if you didn’t come back to me.”

The admission is a baby step toward eventually telling Maren how I truly feel about her. I won’t make the full confession until I know she’s ready to hear it. To believe it.

“We can’t have that.” She smiles, backing away. “Because you’re a total pain in the ass when you’re upset.”

She’s not wrong. But the level of my pain-in-the-assery would grow exponentially if anything happened to Maren. There’s not much I wouldn’t do to keep her. I’d fight. Steal. Lie.

Even walk through fire. A fact I’ve already proved once.

She reaches the end of the hall, turning to blow me a kiss before catching up with her friends.